Apparatus for sealing valved bags



Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. PETERSON ETAL 2,513,022

APPARATUS. FOR sEALING vALvED BAGS Filed March 20, 1947 11 Sheets-Sheetl Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. PETERSON 121ml.` 2,613,022

` APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS Filed March 20, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet2 nNvENTOS v` WILLIAM' R. PETERSON CAEL; H.HARTMAN.

UML x REL..

ATTORNEYS .Y

Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. PETERSON Erm. 2,613,022

APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS Filed March 20, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 3VVnLLlAM l?4 PETERSON. v CARL HAHARTMAN.

BY wm? AMAS A( MAM ATTO R hl EVS w 'miv Oct. v7, 1952 w. R. PETERSONE-rm. 2,613,022

APPARATUS FOR SEALINGVALVED BAGS Filed Maron 2o, 1947 11 sheets-sheet 4INVENTOR'S.

CARL H. HARTMAN.

BY Afa/10% ORM n 2 5 TE WN 2 t NTM R 0 e EET\WO s. e V R T m mDJAT s, wRH A 2 m HMM S UL u mm, WCM W W R PETERSON ETAL APPARATUS FOR SEALINGVALVED BAGS Oct. 7, 1952 Filed March 20, 1947 w. R. PETERSON E-r/u.2,613,022;

APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS Oct. 7, 1952 1l Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledMarch 20, 1947 m 05N N WHA R EEM Lo vm.. T mi .A RH\-1 M. @www L Jr WCMW v a N. 2 7 T a M N 2 t NEM R o, S.. m 6, RH. 2 MH A l ...Ul- 1 I* WCMOct. 7, 1952 w R PETERSON :TAL

APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS Filed March 20, 1947 Oct. 7, 1952 w.R. PETERSON Erm. 2,513,022

APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 20, 1947INVENTORS. WILLIAM R. PETERSON.

CARL H HARTMAN. WM, M9* q m ATTORNEYS.

W R PETERSON ETAL APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVED BAGS Oct. 7, 1952 FiledMarch 20, 1947 www Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. PETERsoN ErAL 2,613,022

APPARATUS FOR SELING VALVED BAGS Filed March 20, 1947 11 sheetssneet 1oWILLIAM RPETEESON. CARI. I. lAre-rrvlmv` BY WML,

WMV A1- To RN EVS INVENTORS.

Oct. 7, 1952 w. R. PETERSQN E'rm. 2,613022 APPARATUS FOR SEALING VALVEDBAGS Filed March 20, 1947 l1 Sheets-Sheet ll lNVENT-OR -WILLlM/lRPrTEESoN. CARL HHARTMAN.

BY K

lhs-wub, M

1410 AT1-o R N evs.

l described in connection in disclosed.`

Patented ct. 7, 1,952

APPARATUS FOR SEALING `VALVED` BAGS William R. Peterson, Oswego, andCarl H. Hartman, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignors to St. Regis PaperCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March20, 1947, Serial No. 735,866

19 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for sealing containers, and moreparticularly to apparatus for sealing a valve for a valved bag.

Containers in the form of paper bags and the like have been heretoforeproposed having a sleeved valve into which a filling spout may beinserted. Such Valve may be located adjacent one corner of thecontainer, and adapted for being at least partly collapsed by the actionof the material which iills the container, thereby effecting asubstantial closure of the container. This closure may be more or lessautomaticin its effect, for example, in bags which are composed of oneor more layers or plies of flexible paper the sleeve valves which arenormally employed are easily collapsible, and as they are attened inresponse to the filling of the bag, the above mentioned closure tends tooccur.

After a bag of the above type has been filled by means of a spout andhas been disengaged therefrom, it is normal practice for the operatormanually to tuck in the valve sleeve which extends exteriorly of thebag. Thus a supplemental closing action is effected for the bag valve.

However, in spite of the semi-automatic partial closing action of thevalve, and in spite `of the tucking in of said sleeve, it has been foundthat there may be a leakage of certain types of material from containersof this character. Also there may be pilferage and passage of moisturethrough such valves.

Furthermore, in the case of a bag valve which is closed as abovedescribed, ingress and egress ofinsects may occur. This is especiallyobjectionable with respect to foodstuffs, forexample,

flour.

Bags having valves of the above type which are not provided with apositive seal, also, may suffer the disadvantage ofpuifs of dust-ladenair from the bag when the latter is dropped or suddenly subjected toexternal pressure. i

According to the present invention, novel apparatus is providedlforsealing the valve of a bag and thus eliminating the above noteddiniculties.

Various further and more specific features `and advantages of theinvention'will clearly appear from the detailed description given belowtaken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a partofthis specification and illustrate, by way of example, preferredarrangements of apparatus for carrying outthe invention. The inventionconsists in suoli novel apparatus and combinations of features as may beshown and with the structures here- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the inventionillustrating a pair of bag sealing devices in operative association witha bag filling apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of such devices in operativeassociation with abag and with a bag filling machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of one form of valve spreaderdevice;

Fig. 4 is an end view, partly in section and with parts broken away, ofthe means shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a bag valve clamp shown in cooperationwith fingers which spread the bag valve and also with a tape folding orflattening member;

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section and with parts broken away, ofa heat sealing unit embodying one form of the present invention shown inconjunction with a bag and a filling spout of a bag filling machine;

Fig. '7 is a view of the partsshown in Fig. 6 in a different operatingposition;

Fig. 7a is a view of a certain latch :and trip lever therefor shown inFig. 7;

Fig. 8 is a view of the device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in still adifferent operating position and `with certain of the parts omitted forthe purposes of clarity;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View with certain parts omitted and other partsbroken away, of a heat sealing unitY showing the early stages of theoperation thereof;

Fig. 10 isa perspective View of parts shown in Fig. 9 in a more advancedoperating position showing the spreading of a bag valve by a valvespreader;

Fig. 11 also is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 10 in astill more advanced operating position illustrating the relativepositions ,of the jaws of the clamp immediately prior to the pressing orclamping of the bag valve;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the parts shown `in Fig. `11illustrating the clamping of the bag valve and the withdrawal of thespreader fingers;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a form of bagvalve having a sleevewith lips thereon bent inwardly and sealed, by the use of the invention.Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a valve corner portion of another formof bag having a valve sleeve therein, the valve being in a semi-closedposition which normally results from filling of' p the bag;

Fig. 15 is similar to Fig. 14 with the exception that the valve sleeveof the bag isshown in a sealed condition;

Fig. 19 is a front elevation of that' portion of' the bag tilting means,show-nin Fig. 18,- for grasp-4 ing the top part of a bag; andi Fig. 20is a front elevationofavpairof bag sad'- dles or chairs and tiltingmeans therefor which may be employed with the mechanism show-n in Fig.18, the position of the chair shown in Fig. 18

being tilted and the corresponding chair untilted in Fig. 20.

Referring to the drawings in further detail, a pair of heat sealingunits 20' and 2|'v isl shown in Fig, 1. These units are duplicates ofone another and are shown in operative relationship with.` a bag llingmachine having two separatefilling spouts. The filling spouts are shownas at 22 (Fig. 2) and 23 (Fig. 1) and are mounted upon a shifting bagframe 24 to be described-hereinafter. The bag iilling machine isindicated at '25: (Fig. 2) and may be of a well known variety. Thespouts 22 and 23 are. each adapted for enterin'ga valve of ayconventional type of valve bag. As shown in Fig; 2, the spout 22' isadaptedrfor entering' a valve sleeve 26 of a bag 2l.

Itis,` ofcourse, possible to employ a single heat sealing unit with alling machine. However, in thev form shown, two such units are employedwhich are adapted tobe-` shiftedv from an inactive to lan active iposition 1 relative. to` the I valve which they are toseal. The shiftingof. the heatv sealing unit in the form shown'I constitutes an angularmovement, the units'. 2li and 2| respectively being pivoted at 28 and29; As shown in Fig. 1 the unit 2| has been shifted angularly to theinactive position thereofv wherein it will not: interferewiththellin'g'of abag 21a; The;unit 20 is in an' operative` or. activeposition and isprepared forspreading/and sealingthe valve 26 ofiba'g'l.The left hand unit 20 only will be describedn detail'below.

The heat sealing units'may be manually shifted from. their respectiveactive and inactive.l` positions. However, suitable power means.are1employed,.. inthe formzsh'own, for'v so shifting's'aid units; Saidpower meansandthe linkage associated therewith will be described`hereinafter;`

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the novel heat sealinguniticomprise's; ingeneral, suitable means for spreading thewallsu'rfaceslof a' protruding valve sleeve of a bag--into'generallyflattened parallel sealablepositions '(se'eFi'g. 10). After the valvesleeve has been spread, av novel clamp is' applied theretowherebyfthetinner surfaces thereof are urged together, duringandafterthe disengagement of the spreader; In' orderto 'actuate heat sensitiveadhesive which may be upon' the inner edge surfaces-of 'th'evalvesleeve, heat may beapplied tor the sleeve during the clamping action,for example, by heating aportion of the clamp. Power means may beprovided for actuating said clamp and thereby applying a high' pressureto the' sleeve; Thus combined heat and pressure are employed to sealtheA valve. However, heat may be `.omitted in oneffo'rm ofthe invention,andi a pressure sensitiveorf' pressure actuatable adhesive may be usedlIn the embodiment Shown, with particular reference to Figs. 2, 4-8, thenovel heat sealing unit 20 is constituted by a valve sleeve spreadingand clamping means 3i) which is in operative association with suitablepower means 3l (Fig. 2) for actuating said clamping means in a manner toappear hereinafter. y

To the inner surfaces of the valve sleeve 26 (Figs. 1 and 2), forexample, adjacent the margin of the lip of the sleeve at 26a, a suitableadhesive may be applied such as a heat sensitive or heat actuatableadhesive. Such an adhesive may be either of the thermo-setting orthermo-plastic variety of suitable vwell known types. Instead ofapplying the adhesive to the inner surface of the bag Valve as shown inFig. 14, said adhesive may be applied to the outer surface thereof as acoating or lamination as shown at 26o in Fig. 13, and the end edges maybe folded inwardly, ready to be sealed by the apparatus hereindescribed.

Thefbag 21 normally is positioned in such a manner that the Valve sleeve26 thereof engages, for example, spout 22 during the filling operation.Immediately after the lling of the bag, and/or after any delay which maybe interposed to allow dissipation of surplus air pressure therein, thebag valve is disengaged from the spout and is moved to the positionindicated in Fig. 2. Such movement may be accomplished by means to bedescribed hereinafter in connection with Figs. `18-20.

Prior to the filling. of the bag, and when itis substantially empty, thesleeve thereof may be almost flat and in theV plane of thel empty bag.When the sleeve of the empty bag is applied upon the filling tube it, ofcourse, conforms to theshape of the tube. As the vbag becomes. filled,the valve will tend to assume the shape shown in Fig. 14 in response tothe stretching out of the bagsby the. contentsthereof. As the bag isfilled., the material therein forces the bag surfaces'outward- 1y andthe gusset upwardly at the region beneath the sleeve and thus tends toflatten thevalve and its sleeve horizontally. Thus the valve portion' ofthelled bag-'will appear substantially as shown in Fig; 14 asitis-withdrawn from the llingltube. The major axis of the cross-sectionofthe valve in Fig. 14 is substantiallyhorizontal.

Although the llingof the bag may flatten and spread the valve to acertain. degree, it has been found desirable prior to clamping andsealing same, to accomplish apositive and further spreadingandflattening of the protruding sleeve, preferably. in a horizontalplane substantiallyin coincidence with that of the major axis of thesleeve shown in Fig. 14. The valve maybe lsealed in a horizontal planeas viewed in Fig. 15j in a manner to appear'hereinafter.

After the bag 21 has been filled and moved to the position shown in Fig.2 and thezvalvesleeve thereof has been somewhat flattened by?. thefilling operation, the heat sealing unit is4 angularly vshifted'from theinactive to the active position thereof, and the spreading and clampingmeans are thus moved into position for actingupon the valve sleeve.Suitable means` (not-shown) may beprovided for angularly adjusting theposition of the lspreading 'and clamping means S30 vrelative toamounting 32-(Fig. 2). therefor whereby a proper Aaxial relationshipbetween said valve sleeve `and the spreading-clamping meansi'isaccomplished. l

In the yform shown inthe drawings (Figs. S) the'n'ovel spreading meansfor the `sleev`arecon stituted by a pair of spreader flnge'ifsl3'3,` 3l,

which, in an inactive position, are contracted and disengaged from `thesleeve.,` and which are adapted for being inserted in a contractedcondition `from which` they are spread or expanded relative to oneanother, thus spreading and ilattening the sleeve.

As shown in Fig. 3, the spreader 'fingers 33 and 434 arerespeetivelypivotally mounted at 35 and u3E) upon a spreader fingercarriage 3l, herein `after referred to as a carriage. `The latter isadapted for `axial movement relative to the `housing 32 which, inthe'iorm shown` serves as a housing, not only for the carriage `31 andthe spreader fingers butalso for one armor jaw of the above mentionedvalve clamp, l. e., an arm designated `As `above mentioned, the spreaderfingers 33 and 34 are adapted for insertion While they are in ,acontracted condition andare spread or extended relative to one another,for example, in response to closing movement oi the clamp. It

is, of course desirable for the'spreader fingers to extend beyond oneedge of the spreader carriage 31 in order that the latter may notinterfere and collide with the bag portions. Suitable means areprovided` for spreading the fingers 33 and 34 which means operatesomewhat in the manner of a resilient` wedge` which is urged between theiingers to thrust same outwardly.Y As shown in Fig. 3, the lingers `33and 34 are'urged toward one another, that is, toward a contractedposition by .means of a tensionspring39. The above menf tioned resilientwedge member also may be referred to as anexpander assembly. In the form`shown in Fig. 3this assembly is constituted by a central expanderblock` 40 having pivotally mounted thereupon a pair of expander arms 4|and 42. These arms are respectively pivotally mounted at 43 and 44 andare thrust outwardly relative to the block 40 by means of expandersprings 45 and `46l respectively whereby limit .stop portions 4ta and42a are urgedagainst block 40. Thus thearms4l and 42 of the expanderasembly in effect constitutevresiliently mounted sides oif` said `wedgemember.

And said `expander arms are so angularly dis- .posed upon the vblock 49that they are in the shape of a somewhat ilattened wedge with the point`thereof pointing toward the line which connects the two `finger pivots35 and 36. There are mounted respectively upon the nngers 33 and 34suitable rollers Hand 43 which are adapted for `rotation aboutsuitablestuds,r and which are situ- ,atedtior `cooperative engagement with `theexpander' arms 4I and 42 respectively. A thrust to `the left of theexpander assembly will produce a spreadingor `expanding force upon thei'lngers 33 ,and34.`

The expander block 49 is mounted upon a rod 49 which hereinafter may betermed an expander rod. flhelatter is mounted for axial movement `uponthe'` spreader carriage 3'! and extends throughV suitable centrallylocated bores in said ,carriage as` shown in Figs. 3, 16`and 1'7.

manner to appear more fully later, by means of a A.bifurcated;memberwhich'engages a pair of rollers mounted on saidrod. As shown in Figs. 16and 17, thereis attached to the expander rod 49a block 5D to which isattached a pin 5I upon which in turn are mounted a pair of rollers 521,53 on either side of the block.

When the expander assembly or resilient wedge member has been urged tothe left as viewed in Fig. 16, thereby expanding the ngers 33 and 34, itis desirable to lock the expander rod `49, whereby the lingers cannotcontract. A suitable device for so locking said expander rod, .andthereby locking `the fingers 33 and 34 in theexpanded position, isprovided comprising an expander rod'latch 54 (Figs. 3, 6-8, 16, 17). Thelatter is pivotally mounted `upon a pin 55 which, in turn, as shown inFig. 6, is mounted upon a suitable fulcrum member 55a. The fulcrummember 55a is rigidly attached to the rod 49. A suitable roller 54a maybe mounted at the extremity` of the latch 54 in order to facilitate thecooperation thereof with a latch plate 56. `When the rod 431s urged tothe position shown in Fig. 16, `the latch 54 will fall adjacent thelatch plate 53 mounted upon the carriage 31, and thereby will preventthe rod from returning to its initial position. As shown in Fig. 6,v theexpander rod latch 54 `is in the up or inactive position relative to thelatch plate 56. A spring 54h mountedior example, on fulcrum member 55acan heemployed for urging latch 54 downwardly as viewed in Fig. 3. Thelatch 54 has attachedthereto an arm51 which is adapted forcontacting anexpanding rod latch trip block 58 (Figs. 6 and 8). The arm El'rnay havemountedthereupon a suitable roller 59 which may facilitate theengagement with the block 53.` As will appear hereinafter, when thelatch 54 has locked the fingers in their expanded condition, the lingerscan be released and thus `contracted in response to the roller 59striking the block 58, thereby releasing the latch `54.

The spreader carriage 37 is slidablyy mounted relative to the anvil 38and, in the form shown the two are adjacent and in sliding contact withone another.

anvil 33. A plate t! rigidly attached to the anvil cooperates with thekey 63 and holds .the key and the anvil in free straight line slidingposition.

Thus the rod 49 is movable axially relative toV the carriage 3l and thelatter is movable axially relative to the anvil 38. As 'will appearlater,

the anvil 38 also is movable` axially/.relative to `in Fig. 3, the rodis inthe right hand extended position wherein the fingers arecontracted. As shown in Fig. i6, `the rod 43 is in the left handextended position lrelative to the carriage '31 in which the spreaderngers 33, 34 are expanded. In the right hand extended positionA of therod, the member 55a (expander rod latch fulcrum member) `is in contactwith the carriage 31 as shown in Fig. In thsposition, the expander arms4l and 42 preferably are in contact with the rollers 41 and 48 upon thengers 33, 34 but do not exert an appreciable expanding force thereupon.Thus the rod 49 may notslide back and forth axially in so-called lostmotion.

. The linger. carriage 31 normally is locked in an inactive position bymeans of a latch mechanism. Suitable resilient means such as a `coil:Spring `(i4 jmounted .upon a holding lrod .54

`The carriage 3'1 is provided with v a key` (i9 (Fig. 4) which` ts andslidesin the .1e-,mense .uiee's'itheficarriaaei I:it to the''rielit'`as' viewedin Fig'. dtowar'dftheaetivelpositie o'f th'e carriage. -Th'-'holderv IlOd- '54T preferably' `S mullte'd -V1113011 the .fiamefairatthefle'ftth' "or enig... 6 tand. it extends into a suitable in the.earria'ge which 'also receives the spring''. If desired, a plurality' ofrods 64 and'. spring 63 maybe lemploye'd-L The aboverrnentioned latchis'lindicate'd fat 66 (Figs. 3 Landi 6.) 'and 'constitutes' 'a latch'form which is' pivotally'mounted, forexample, uponpa suitable studiy6.1' @Fig 3f). :The .latch 66 isadapted. for cooperating with thev latchplate '56,. `as shown iin. Fig. .6. 4and'io'r retaining thecarriage.l-n. withdrawn Soif inactivev position.

The` latch .is provided. with a frnemb'er' for .facilitatingfthetripping. thereof comprising are- .silientlymounted"catchfii (Fig. 6)which preferablyfiis' mounted v'adjacent the' top vsurface' of thelatch'. and which'const'itutes, for example.. an

axially `.si'iifitable vmember having a. shaft 68a (Fig. '6)' which'.isA 'shiftablef within 'the body por'- tion' of.' vtherlat'c'h V66.Suitable means such as 'bolts attached 'tof the extremity ofthe shaft68a rrestrict the' 'axial' movement thereof' in one 'cli- .rection`andthe header 'the catch 68 restricts `th'eaxial. motion in the'opposite direction. A suitableicoil spring' may be .mounted beneath theh'eada surrounding' the shaft `68o whereby theheadi ofthe lcatch isurgedA outwardly'. The necessity for resiliently mounting the catch isto permit a .return movement vof a'. trip lever :which `is'a'daptewl fortripllriiug'the'y latch 65 yin a 'manner Whichwillappear hereinafter.

LI'h'et 'above mentioned clamp .is'constitu'ted by two `cooperating'armsorr jaws"whi'clf1' are. herein designated :as theia'nvil (alreadydescribed) and .a pressing arm or press 1.0.` (Figs. 6, 7 and 8). Theanvil38 and the press 'I0 respectively 'are provided with pressure faces38a. and 75a. The pressure .face ma preferably' is constituted by astrip of. resilient material suchasrubber in' orderithat Ait may'accommodate any .irregularities in .the .valve sleeve 'and in order .topermit 'a yielding engagement with the sleeve while the spreader.fingers lare `still in the 'sleeve but. .are in the process' of beingWithdrawn therefrom. Said .yielding engagement thus' Will'not' preventthe withdrawal of the fingers. Moreover. the-.re'sil iientpressur-e face'i-'a..'aecommodates thel bag tape vasla'tZ'lb (Fig-.'Ei)

Adevice is Shown' in Fig. 5 for ilattenin'g the -tapeZib jus'tprior t'oclamping: action in order to'- avoidy crumpling same. `A crumplin'g ofthe tape' might interfere with a proper contact betweenthejaws of theclamp and. the bag valve. 'A pair of tapefengaging''ngers lb, 10barepiv- 'otally mountedfa't 10c-'adjacent pressureface 'Illa andareresiliently held in the position shownby .means of a-spring'Id'whi'ch urges' the fingers against a pin 10e.. The :extremities ofthefingers are bevelled. in order to assist in. pushing or' folding overthe tapeagainst. the surface of the at- `tened valve. 2d.

The anvil :38, 'in the form shown,` is' adapted for axialmovementfwithin the housingv or'frame 62 whereby' it can .be broughtfrom a'n inactive oi." primary to' an active for secondary position. Inthe latter position', the anvil is in' operative association 'with' a'bag' valve .Sleeve which has beenthereto'fore spread by the abovementioned spreader; Thereafter, 'the' anvil is brought into a.clampingrelati'onshi'p'- with the pre'ssf 'IU'to press `together the.vvalve sleeve surfaces It' is to" be 'understood that the 'anvil may' bebrought-'into 'paratory to'` sealing same.

moving of the'. anvil 8 its. active position by, 'for' example. 1an'.fagfuiar .insteado'f an axialincveme'rit.

.The anvilsmay be mountedifor said'a'xiali-:nove nient upon-apluralitytoi roil'ers'asvat :H dhd12 (Fig. 6). Similar rollers may' beprovided upon the side of the anvil opposite to lth'esidefvieW-edfinFigi. A6. The rollers' 1| .and 'izprieferably move within a. 'track`.termed i'ri -a1` botto'r'ri Yplate F621; `of the frame 62. Asillustrated .inf Fig. 4,- the tra-cl; is of such 'dimensions that'thelrolie'rs imayzriot shift'llat'e'rally' byk an appreciable amountbult elifcient' freedo'rnis allowed' to permit Yfree rolling movement;nfolder" to LHffK/il'f Vl'oal' htive*- ment or the anvil','sho'ulcers`Barb may ibefsitiiated abovethe-ro-l-lers'i-l and:'I2":(Fi-'g.4)". y l

Further means for accurately guid'irigftlielanwl 38 in its axialmo'vement'are provided 'comprising! Aa4 cen-ter guide' roller T3 whichmay 'beat'- che'd t0' 'the lllVl YyIIl'e'iIl's l Of fa VSlllit'llllStu'd ET ,t centrally disposed sl' '5Vv formed-Within the' plate 62a'.Orieor' more: Ior guide' rollersfs 'may be employed'.

As mentioned above, if desired', heat may be 'applied to fthevalvesleeve` which being sea-led'. Suitable mean/sier this 'purpose maybelfasseciated with either the pressi lil or' the yanvil 38 orheatiinay-be directed to th'eisleeve by other' means. However, inthelforrnv shown'-, an-i electrical? resistanceheating element -l6 issecured* 'tot theanvil preferably' directly beneaththe p'res'surefaceuofthe `anvilv 3e. nected to a suitable Source of 'electric ener-'gy (notshown) byme'answoflea'ds '-Fl land' 7B. A thermwswitohf 19 may' lo"interpose di'in one ofthe leads 17 olr :7585, and isv effective -ei'r'iaint'ainL a predetermined uniform temperature in theheatingelement. The thermo-switch-niay opera-te upon an expansions-principlewherein 'the' circuit is made yor 7broken in' accordance' with theternper'ature-of the heating-element.

The adhesive .us'eiii should f bev well adapteti to adhere to: paper'and also to 'ferma bond with itself. `It is desirable ''orthe adhesive'to* be' of such a type that it needffn'otfbeheld'pressed to'-g'ether'f'or ana=ppreciable periodv order Vto'efiect 'a bond. Inether'wor'els', it-isv desirable that'p'r'esi- 'suren'eed be applied'fori'onlyfa shertpeo'd such as' a few seconds, and thereafter' releasedwithout detriment tothe fo'rrna'tilon'or` the bond.

It is, of course, possible to'` employ" a pressure sensitive adhesivewhich -d'oes not require heet 'for' its' activation'. Iiis'uch case,theheatingele'i 'ment' lt` may be 'dispensed' with and only-"-pressureused for'sealin'g'.

'The reason for-mounting" the anvil 3B andthe carriage 37 for axialmovement" within the frame S2 is to permit `a withdrawal of thesetwo'mem'- bers intosaid frame in such a manner that they do notinterfere o'r' collide 'withthe'baS-Lportion's when 'the heat sealingunit is b'roughtginto its mitiai position adjacent the 'va-ive sleevepre'- ,I'n nigg-e 'the mouth ity toithe'- anvil and th'espreaderiingers;

It is', ofcourse', desirable' to vspread the sleeve 26 intoasubstantially flat condition prior to th'e upressurefacef'as'iben'eaththe valve. Consequentlwt is desirable forthe-spread'- mg .appar'atusfto operate in'- advance of th'e'ipothe latchi56r 'which 'tlie're'b'y' Will thrust the spreader .fingers into" 'thevalve.. shortly' 'there- Such heating 'element is' 'con'- after, andprior to the positioning of the pressure face, the valve 2B is spread orflattened in a manner to appear later.

The abovefdescribed latch 66 comprises a primary carriage latchwhich isadapted for being tripped in response preferably to a closing movementof the clamp, that is, in response to angular movement of thepress 10toward the anvil 36. This may be accomplished by means of a trip lever80 (Figs. 3 and 6) which may be secured to a shaft 8| upon which thepress 10 pivots. Shaft 8| may be mounted at opposite extremities thereofupon the frame 62. A secondary carriage latch for holding the carriagein an extended position will be described hereinafter.

AThe manner of operation of the finger ex` pander assembly has beendescribed aboveto the effect that expansion of the fingers will occur inresponse to an axial shifting of the rod 49 to the vleft as viewedinFigs. 3, 6-8, and 16, 17. This axial shifting of the rod 49preferablyis accomplished also in response to a closing movement of thepress 10. 'A bifurcatedlever B2 (Figs. 6-8) is provided for this purposeand is adapted for contacting the rollers 52 and 53 (Fig. 16). Thebifurcated lever 82 is provided with fingers 82d (Figs. 4, 16, 17) whichcomprise the bifurcated portion thereof for contacting `the rollers 52and 53.` `Lever 82 preferably isattached to the hub of the press 10 asshown in Fig. 4. Said lever 82 preferably is adjusted to contact therollers i. and 53 of rod 49 forthe 'first time after the rod has shiftedaxially from the inactive position of Fig. 3 to the active or extendedposition as shown in Fig. 7. Lever 82 thus will urge the rod 49 and rtends to urge the iinger carriage 31 to the left as viewed in Fig. 7. Inorder Vto prevent the finger carriage from being moved to the leftduring the spreading of the fingers 33 and 34, it is necessary toprovide a secondary carriagelatch 83 (Figs. 3 and `16) which ispivotally mounted at 84. Secondary latch 83 is provided with a roller 85(Figs. 3, 7, 16) which is adapted `for falling behind the latch plate 56(Fig. '7) and preventing a leftward motion of the carriage 31 when thelatter isurged in that direction by means ofl the bifurcated lever 82. l

l `After the ngers 33, 34 have been spread, it is of course necessary towithdraw same. In order to do this, itis necessary to lift the secondarylatch `83, thus freeing the carriage 31 for movement to the inactiveposition thereof.` A second roller 65 is provided uponthe lever 83 forthis purpose and is adapted for cooperation with a secondary latchtriplever 81 (Figs. 3 and 7a). The trip lever Eil preferably is secured tothe hub of the lever 10.

.The anvil 3B normally is in an inactive position withdrawn into theframe 62 as shown in Fig. 6 when the clamp also` is inactive. The activeposition of the anvil islas shown in Fig. 8. The anvil may be moved fromthe inactive to the active position by any suitable means, for example,by manually operated means. However, it is desirable to` move the anvilautomatically in response to, for example, closing movement of theclamp.

In the form shown, the automatic means for moving the anvil 38 comprisea gear train which is operated `in response to angular movement of thepress 10. gear 88 (Fig. 6) may be mounted upon the shaft 6I which is inmesh with an n" termediate gear 89 which in turn is pivotally mountedupon the 'frame 62 andwhich meshes with a rackgil attached to the anvil38s., Thus, a downward movement of) the clamp 1 10, as viewed in Fig. 6,`will communicate athrust to the anvil which will urge same outwardlytoward the extended position thereof. l

The above mentioned power means 3| for opening and closing the bag clampcomprises, for eX- ample, a pneumatically operated cylinder 9| (Fig. 2)which is pivotally mounted at 92 and connected to the press by means ofa piston rod 93 which may be secured thereto by a suitable pin as at 94(Fig. 6).

A hand-operated valve 95 (Fig. 1) having a `handle 96 may be providedfor controlling the actuating medium for the power cylinder 9|. Suitableconduits 91 and 98 conduct said medium to cylinder 9|.l A valveidentical to valve 95 is employed `for the other heat sealing deviceshown in Fig. l.

As above described, the heat sealing units and 2| (Fig. l) are pivotallymounted respectively at 28 and 29. Manually controlled power means maybe provided for shifting the heat sealing units into and out of theiractive positions. Consider, for example, unit 20 which is similar tounit 2| and is held in its inactive position by means of a toggle linkarrangement 99having arms |00 and |0I. The former arm is pivotallyattached to the heat sealer 20 at |0011 and the opposite extremity ispivotally attached to the arm |0| at a knee. The opposite extremity ofarm |0| is mounted at |02 to a fixed pivot. It will be seen that when apivot pin |03 for the knee of the toggle arrangement isin the positionshown in the left hand unit of Fig. l, the heat sealer moves intoregister with a'bag which has been tilted away from the left hand spout.Also, when the pivot |03 is moved above the line connecting the pivots|02 and |00a,a toggle action will occur as indicated in the right handunit in Fig. 1.

A suitable pneumatic power cylinder ills `may be provided forcontrolling the toggle link ar rangement and this cylinder may becontrolled by means ofthe valve 95. The latter may be of a type which isadapted for controlling a plu rality of power cylinders separately.Suitable conduits |05 `and |06 convey an actuating medium to the powercylinder mi. A limit stop |01 may be employed for defining the angularlimit of motion of unit 20 towardthe right.

The operation of the toggle link arrangement and power cylinder |0Il`iirst will be `described and thereafter the operation of the heat sealerper se.

When it is desiredto register, for example, the heat sealing unit Elliwith .the valveof a bag, the handle `96 may` be'angularly shifted, forexample,A counterclockwise through.` a small angle suchas 22H2 degrees.`This directs fluid such as air to thetop of cylinder |04 which breaksthe toggle lock causing the sealer 20 to move into the vertical` line`of the `bag and the extended valve` sleeve as shown for the left handunit 20. The sealer unit will stay in this position against limit stopm1. VNo further action takes place until the Valve handle is againmoved, for example, counterclockwise an additional small amount such as221/2 degrees. This action causes air to flow to the top of the powercylinder 9| which operates the heat sealer in a manner to appear below.Thevalve sleeve is expanded and sealed within one or two seconds bymeansci heat and pressure.

The handle 96 thereafter may be shifted, for example 221/2 .degreesclockwise which causes the air to now into the bottom of vpower cylinder9| whichcauses the press 10 to raise and to open the bag clamp and toreset the heat 1.1 sealer for them-:xt` sealing'opera-tion.` A-'furtherclockwise motion'y of the valveI 96, for example, an additional 221/2degrees-causesair 4to flow into thebottom ofV the-power cylinderHilf-which resets the toggle lock -or link S9; The toggle link serves anadditional function in that it will hold the heat sealing unit vi-n theout positioninI portion of the bag at, for example, the upperl sewntaped portion 2lb, and for moving the 'bag from a position on thespoutaway therefrom to `a sealable position.

Tilting device |08 is designatedv generally as a tilt clamp or tapeclamp and is constituted pref.- erably by a toggle arrangement (Figs.18, 19') having clamping arms |39, II'L'v pivoted at l|.|'|, and togglearms I2, H3 pivoted respectively to' clamping arms |09, H0.

Toggle arms I I2, I3 are pivoted to one another at I4. A toggle spring II5is attached toclamping arms |09', I i0' whereby the latter'are urgedtogether at all times. Downward pressure upon the pivot Illly will urgesame to a point immediately above. pivot I'IIS :and below a linebetween.

the-respective pivots. of arms mi); I| 2v and Ill),

|SI35.' Thus. -a toggle action. will. occur to retain.

the tilt clamp WST in! an. open. position..

The tilt clamp |08 is angularly shiftable pref?.- erably by virtue ofits association with .atiltable bag chair |1I'6'. mounted. beneath thebag spout. Chair |`I6.is pivoted at ||"I to. a suitable. support IIB.Pivot |`|"I is preferably to the right oiv the centerr of gravity i thebag chair, as viewed in Fig. 1'8, whereby gravity normally retains rthechair inl an unti'lted or' level position. A spring ||'9 may be provided.for yieldingly holding chair ||6 in its level or untiltedposition.

Tilt clamp l|118 is mountedupon .chair ||6 by means of a yoke memberwhich is preferably attached at the base'thereoi to opposite sides ofthe chair.

A stationary ledge |2I. is provided. against which thebag may rest whenin a tilted position. (Fig. 18). The. ledge is desirable to support theAtilt clamp I 98 and the actuation of the heat sealer 20 inv a manner to.appear later.

The bag chair .||6 (Fig. 20) may be oneof a pair. (H16, |22) and may be.tiltable by means of.

a: cam arrangement comprising a cam |23 which, in thev form shown, maybe lstationary Aand the tub frame may be. 'movable from Aside to side.Cam |23 is provided with elevated portions or humps (|23a, |23b)A on theright and left portions thereof respectively, -which are adapted forcooperation with-chair tilt arms |24 and |25 respectively. The Achairtilt arms are engageab'le respectively vwith chairs |22 .and '|I6, A|22to tilt same. Cam |23 .may be automatically governed by the :fillingapparatus 25.

The `,tilt clamp |08 .can .be opened. shortly before the actual clampingofthe valve 26. This maybe accomplished by an arm |26 (Fig. 18) rigidly.attached to jaw 'I0 of the valve clamp. Arm A|216 .assumes a positionimmediately above the.` pivot I id'whenA th'e---heatsealing unit isain.

an activelposition in. register with avalve;

The tilt clamp may be closedbyhan-d or; for

example,i. .byv a. suitable cam; |21 which. may-becontrolled,.noiexample', ina response' to relative;v motion of.. cam:|23 or the irameupon whic'hiiti is mounted.v 'Iheclamp IGS', ofcourse-',isf closed. after. abag. has been placed .on the spoutr3.and'Ais. prepared. for the nextilling;

In:operation,..the sequence ofxevents is. asLol.- lows:

Barg` iilled .and positioned'iforisealing (1) Bag 27 is' iilled throughtube22' andl is' then tilted away from the tube bym-ems. Grits.

tion, andtheA spreader .and anvil 38' ar.e;in'their primary or Withdrawnpositions.

msertion of spreader fingers into rua-Zoe:A

(l) Hand'valve 95 is moved `.to admit actuating'fluid` into the upperpartv of cylinder'SI and the. press 'IG commences its closing`movement-toward-the anvil. v

(2.) The'initial closing movement oi the press 'Itrips Iprimary 'lato-h66l by means of latch trip lever Bil-which 'strikes catch S8.

(3) Spreader linger carriage `3l immediately movesirom its primaryposition (Fig. 6) to its secondary position shownin solidlines `in Fig.8 under the iniiuence of springv 63..

(4') The spreader lingers' 33l andi34 are still contracted'at this 'timeand theyare thrust-,into thevalve v26 as in'Fig. l9.

(5) Secondary latch 83: (Figs. 'l and 16)1now falls ifntoposition`locking the spreaderl carriage 3.1 in its extendedor secondary position,thus preventing-thev carriage from moving to the leftv duringqtheexpansion of the lingers 33, '34 ascaused by aleftward thrust from `.thebifurcated lever 82'.

(6) Anvil 38 moves progressively fromY its primary position toward itssecondary position iin response to closing movement of the'clamp. Thisoccurs by means ofA gear .88, pinion 89 and rackv 90.

Spreading of finge-rs in `'valve (1') Lever 82fnow contacts `rol-lers52,53ofcrod 49 by means ofiingers 32ay and urges same `to the lef-t awayfrom the-valve (Fig. l'7).

(2) The resilient wedge or expander assembly 40, 4|, 42' mounted uponrod 49 is thus urged to the left. By means of said resilient wedgemember an outward or spreading thrust `is applied `to fingers 3.3, 34.whereby they are spread as'shown in Figs. 10 and 16 against theinfluenceof contracting spring 39. Because of the resilient thrustexerted'upon the'ngers by means of springs E5, 46and the Wedge arms 4|42, the spreader fingers are adapted to accommodate valve portions ofdiffering sizes.

:(3) Fingers 33, 34' are locked in an expanded condition by virtu-e ofthe expander rod latchk 54- (Fig. 16) which` locks rod 49 in the -le'fthand extended position thereof. The latch roller 54a l falls behindlatchA plate 5E under the ,influence of spring 545 (Fig l3), thusaccomplishing 'the locking.

Withdrawal ogpiingersyfrom bag valve sleeve (l) Secondary latch 83 isnow lifted by secondary latch triplever 81 (Figs. 7av and 8) con- 13tacting roller 86 and thus lifting roller 85 of said latch 83 from alatching position relative to latch plate 56.

(2) Thereafter, the thrust to the left exerted on the rod 431s effectiveto entrain carriage 3T through the intermediary of the expander blockassembly 4U, 4|, 42. The withdrawalof the fingers 33, 34 from valvesleeve 2B commences substantially immediately after the lifting ofsecondary latch 83 and preferably is not quite complete when press 1!!first presses valve sleeve 2B against anvil 38. That is, it is desirablefor fingers 33, 34 to be slightly pinched between the press and anvilbefore complete withdrawal. Thus the danger oi.' crumpling the valvesleeve is avoided.

Clamping of bag (1) Tape flattening fingers 10b, 10b engage the tape 2lbas shown in Fig`.`5 and thrust same to `a flattened position on thevalve sleeve, thereby. avoiding a crumpling thereof and consequentdefective sealing of the valve.

(2) Thereafter, the resilient pressure face 10a contacts the valvesleeve 26 when at least thetips of the fingers 33, 34 are still withinthe sleeve.

(3) The anvil `38 at this point is fully extended (Fig. 8) relative tothe housing therefor and is in position to give full support to thevalve sleeve.

(4) The press and anvil, i. e., the clamp, apply heat and pressure tothe sleeve, for example, heat at 300 F. and pressure at 50 p. s. i. fora period, for example, of two seconds.

(5) The fingers 33, 34 are fully withdrawn prior to the application offull pressure to the sleeve.

v (6) Lever 82 has progressively urged rod 49 and fingers 33, 34 to theleft and shortly after withdrawal of the lingers from the sleeve the arm51 `of expander rod latch 54 contacts trip block 58 and the fingers 33,34 are contracted under the influence of contractor spring 39. Rod 49now assumes the position shown in Fig. 6.

(7) During thelatter part of the inward movement of the carriage 37 theprimary latch 66 falls over latch plate 56 and retains same in a cockedposition against the pressure of spring 63. l

`Opening of clamp v(1) Handle 95 of valve 95 may now be turned andactuating fluid directed to the lower chamber of cylinder 8| whereuponthe press 1B and anvil '38 move back to the `position shown in Fig. 6.During the upward movement of press 1l), the trip lever 8D contactscatch (i8 which resiliently moves out of the way and snaps back intonormal position after the passing ofsaid trip lever.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferredexamples which have given satisfactory results, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art after understanding the inventionthat variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, in theappended claims, to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patentis:

l. `Inapparatus for sealing a valve of a bag, the combination comprisingan anvil shiftable from an inactive to an operative position adjacent abag valve, means `for heating said anvil, a pair of spreader fingers, amounting for said fingers shiftable from a primary to a secondaryposition, a press adapted to cooperate with said anvil in a clampingrelation therewith, power means for actuating said press, means forconnectng said anvil for movement to and from said positions in responseto movement of' said press, means for urging said fingers into `a valveportion of a bag when said fingers are unexpanded, means for expandingsaid fingers in the valve portion in response to movement of said press,means for timing the press movement whereby the valve is engaged betweenthe press and said anvil at a region which is internally spread directlyby said fingers; and means for withdrawing said fingers from` the valveportion in response to motion of said press toward said anvil after saidpress and anvil` have engaged the valve portion and prior to applicationof full clamping pressure thereto. l l

2. In apparatus for sealing a valve bag th valve structure of which isprovided on the internal wall areas thereof with adhesive for sealingsame in response to clamping the wall'areas together, the bag end havinga closure tape extending along a portion of the valve, the combinationof valve spreader mechanism for first spreading such wall areas to asubstantially flat condition, with the tape in a generally upstandingposition, a clamp for pressing said wall areas together, a fingerpivotally mounted on said clamp for engaging said tape in advance of theclamping of the valve, said finger being adapted for flattening the tapeagainst the adjacent wall area, a resilient member mounted on said clampfor engaging the valve in clamping relationship when pressed by saidclamp against the valve, said resilient member being adapted foraccommodating the closure tape and any irregular wall portions of thevalve, and means for disengaging said spreadermechanism from the valve.

3. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a bag,

spreader means insertable in a portion of the bag valve forspreading andattening same, a valve clamp for clamping and sealing the valve portionsso spread and flattened, and mechanism responsive to clamping movementof the valve clamp for withdrawing said spreader means aftersaid clampengages the valve but prior to the application of rfull clampingpressure to the valve portions. l

4. In apparatus for sealing a valve of :a`bag,` an anvil, means formoving said anvil from an initial position into a supporting positionadjacent said valve, spreading means for said valve, means for urgingsaid spreading means into engagement with portions of said valve tospread same prior to the movement of said anvil. adjacent theivalve,means for heating said anvil, a press adapted for urging said valveportions against said anvil, a resilient pad on said press foraccommodating irregular portions of the valve, and means for withdrawingsaid spreading means from the valve portions in response toclampingmovement of the press toward the anvil.

5. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a bag, the combination comprisinga spreader for engaging internal `surface portions of the valve andspreading same to a generally flat` condition, means forwyieldablyexpanding said spreader for accommodating various sizesof bag valves, ananvil positioned near said spreader and mounted upon said apparatus forsliding motion relative to and in the same direction with saidV spreaderto a `position wherein theA spread por- `tions ofthe valve areinterposed between said anvil and said spreader, means for actuating theaie-moza anvilandiithe. spreader. `a press for cooperating in. 1a.clamping :relationship with said anvil and foi-engaging and `pressingtogether Vthe valve portions `so spreadl into the generally flatconditions', means foradisengagingsaid spreader from said-valveiportionsin response to motion of said press. :toward said anvil, p ower meansdrivably connected'tofsaid press Yfor moving same, manuallyzoperable,controlmeazns for governing said IJOWermeansamOUnting for said anvil,spreader, press and `power zmeans, vand power means for Shifting :Saidmounting toward and away from the bag vvalve.

6. Method for `sealing a valve bag having a tuckin valvepsleevewhichprotrudes from the. bag- ;infa flattened condition substantially inthe plane of the l:b agwhen the latter is empty, which method comprises,fillingv the bag in response .to which the sleeve is spread and somewhatflattened 1in a second 'plane which is substantially perpendipular to:said plane o f the bag; applying: tothe ,sleeve from vwithin same 'aspreadingl pressure acting radially of the sleeve and in Athe secondplane. whereby lthe iilattening of the sleeve isfrcompleted in thesecond plane; and applying heat'iandypressure externally of the sleeve`during axpmtion of the period that said internal spreading pressure isacting, said heat and pressure being: applied tothe portions of thesleeve fiattened by saidspreading pressure toseal same in said'second.plane.

In apparatus; of the class described, the combination comprising:a-valve bag filling machine having a vfilling :spout and a bag saddlefor supporting a ,bag ,in filling Arelation to the spoutrwiherein thespout is inserted into the bag valve, zthe.latt.erbearing vheatactivatable adhesive on opposed vwall portions thereof which portionsare adapted to be, brought together and adhered to :seal the valve a bagclamp adapted for grasping -said bag, said clamp being angularly movableaway from said spout whereby the, bag valve ofthe bagy grasped therebyiswithdrawable from the illi-ng spout Vand held in up-tilted spacedrelation thereto; 4spreader means insertable into the bag Yvalve for-spreading and flattening same; avalve clamp for pressing together theportions of said valve flattened by said spreader means; a vheaterelement upon vsaid clamp for applying heat to `said valve.; andmechanism responsive to clamp closing movement of Asaid clamp forwithdrawing said spreader means after said clamp engages aspread,portion of ,the valve vand before the application of full clampingpressure to the valve.

8. Ils-apparatus' for sealing a valve of a 4valve bag, the combinationcomprising: a filling ma- Chine having a lling spout for vinsertion intothe bag valve; a spreader for engaging the internal surfaces of thevalve and spreading same to a generally flattened condition after suchvalve has been disengaged from said spout, said spreader being yieldablyexpansible for accommodating various sizes of bag valves; an anvilpositioned near said spreader and mounted on said apparatus for linearsliding motion toward a disengaged bag valve to an operative positionrelative to the spread valve; a press for cooperating in clampingrelationship with said anvil; mechanism responsive to clamp closingmovement of said-pressfor first actuating said spreader and thereafterurging said anvil by said linear sliding motion to said operativeposition relative to the spread valve portion; `and mechanism responsiveto. press y.closing movement of. said pressfor L16 withdrawing Vsaid.spreader after isaid [press .engages the valve. 4 1 l 9. In apparatusfor sealing a valve of va valve bag, the valve :having heatactivatableadhesive On the inner wall surfaces thereof, a carriagemember; spreader ngers mounted upon .said carriage member,r the latterbeing mounted for sliding axial movementsubstantially inthedirection vof the :longitudinal axis ^of l.the valve .of .the bag; mechanism for:holding ,said carriage member in, an inactive position; means -forurging. said carriage member against saidvholdingmechanism and toward anoperative position adjacent'a bag valve; an anvil 4member adapted forlinear sliding movement parallel to that of `said .carriage member; apress adapted to cooperate in a clamping relationship with saidl anvil;-a heater element for applying heat to the bag valve clamped by saidpress land anvil;l mechanism responsive to press closing movement forreleasing'saidcarriage member holdingmechanism wherebyv said spreaderfinger and carriage member rare urged toward the bag valve and thespreader fingers are Vpressed therein while in a contracted condition;mechanism also responsive to press closing movement for spreading saidspreader ,lingers after .the latter have been insertedinto the bagvalve; mechanism operatively connected to said press for urgingsaidanvil into an operative position relative to the spread valve portions,Vthe movement of said anvil to the operative position occurring aftersaid fingers have been spread and the valve portions have vbeenflattened; and mechanism responsive to press closing movement forwithdrawing said spreader fingers from the spread bagv valve after saidpress engages `the spread portions of the valve and urges same towardsaid anvil. i

,10. YIn apparatus vfor sealing a valve of a valve bag Vhaving a tapedend, the valve having heat activatable adhesive on the inner wallsurfaces thereof, spreader means insertable into a portion of the bagvalve vfor spreading and flattening same; a valve vclamp including aresilient pad for pressing together the portions of said valve nattenedby said spreader means; .said resilient pad adapted for accommodatingsaid tape and any irregularities in the valve surfaces whereby the clamppresses positively together opposed flattened wall areas of the valve;means for `applying heat to said clamp, the combined action offsaidclamp, pad, and 'heat being eiective to seal thevalve; and mechanismresponsive to clamplclosing movement of said clamp for withdrawing saidspreader means after said clamp engages the spread portion of the valvebut before-the application of full clamping pressure to the valve.

l1. In apparatus for sealing a valve of abag, spreader means insertableinto a rportion of the bag valve for spreading and flattening sam-e; avalve clamp; a resilient pad mounted on said clamp; means for applyingheat to said clamp, said heated clamp with said resilient pad*beingadapted for clamping and sealing the flattened portionof thevalve; andmechanisrn responsive to clamp closing movement of said clampfor withdrawing said spreader means after said clamp engages theva-lvexbut-prior to the applica- Elon of full clamping Ipressure to Vthevvalveporlons. f

'12. In apparatus for sealing the valve of ,-a: containerwherei-nopposed valve wall portionsare provided with Vheat sensitiveadhesive for sealingsame, a pair of spreader fingers, aV carriage forsaid. ngers, means for mounting l said carriage;-

17 foraxial movement between.I a primaiyposition removed from the valve,and a secondary position adjacent the valve, resilient; means-for urgingsaid fingersntowards a contracted conditiom a wedgememberhavingresilient sides interposed between said fingers and adaptedfor movement relative thereto whereby said fingers are` spread orcontracted, vresilient means for urging said carriage toward thesecondary `position thereof, `a primary latch for retaining saidcarriage in the primary `position thereof, a secondary latch forretaining said carriage in the secondary position thereof, faA clampcomprising an anvil and a press, vmeans for'mountinglsaid anvil foraxial movement between an inactive position removed from a valveto 'anactive position wherein the valve is interposed between the press andanvil, mechanism' for interconnecting the anvil `for axial movement inresponse to movement `of said press, said anvil'being movable from'the'inactive to active position thereof in response to closing movementof said press, means for tripping said primary latch in response toinitial closingmovement of .said press, said secondary latch thereafterbecoming effective to retain said press inlits secondary position, meansfor moving said wedge member to spread said fingers in response tofurther closing movement of said press, means for tripping saidsecondary latch thereafter in response to further closing movement ofsaid press, the movement of said wedge after the tripping of saidsecondary latch entraining said carriage through the intermediary ofsaid fingers, and shifting same axially toward'the primary positionthereof whereby said fingers are withdrawn from the valve, and means forheating said clamp, the latter being adapted for clamping the spreadportions of said valve prior to complete Withdrawal of said fingers.

13. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a container wherein opposedvalve wall portions are provided .with adhesive for sealing same, aspreader carriage, means for mounting said carriage for movement from aprimary position to l a secondary position, the former being an inactiveposition removed from the bag valve and the latter being an activeposition adjacent the bag valve, a valve spreader mounted upon saidcarriage for spreading the bag valve substantially to a flat condition,resilient means for urging said carriage toward the secondary positionthereof, a latch for retaining said carriage in the primary positionthereof, an anvil having a surface against which the valve is pressed,means for mounting said anvil for movement from an inactive positionremoved from the valve to an active position adjacent the valve, a clampfor pressing the valve upon said anvil, means for tripping said latchinresponse to closing movement of said clamp, means for interconnectingsaid anvil for movement in coordination with the movement of said clamp,`the anvil being movable from an inactive position when the clamp isopen relative to the anvil to an active position in response to closingmovement f said clamp relative to the anvil, means for spreading saidvalve spreader in response to closing movement of said clamp, and meansfor moving said carriage to the primary position thereof in response tofurther closing movement of said clamp, said fingers mounted on thecarriage being thus withdrawn from the valve.

14. In apparatus for sealing the valves of containers wherein opposedvalve wall portions are provided with heat sensitive adhesive forsealing same, a finger carriage adapted for axial 18 movement, a pair offingers upon said carriage adapted for insertionwithin a valve andsforspreading same to a substantially flat condition, an anvil axiallymovable from an inactive position. Ito an active position adjacent availvea pressmemberforpressing a valve upon said anvil,resilient meansfor urging said carriage toward one extremity ofthe range of axialmovement thereof, a latch for holding said carriage adjacent, theopposite extremity of said range, mechanism for operativelyinterconnecting said anvil and press whereby the anvil moves to saidactivepositon in response to a closing monement of the press, mechanismfer` tripping said latch in response ,to"closing' movement of saidpress, mechalnisrri"for,y expanding r'said fingers in response toclosing movement of said press, lsaid last-mentioned" mechanism beingadapted for simultaneously withdrawing the fingers from the valve aftersaid press has engaged the spread valve, -and means for applying heat tosaid valve during the clamping thereof. l i r15..In apparatus forsealing-a 'valve bag, the valve structure of which is providedon theinternal wall areas thereof v'with adhesive for sealing` the valve in'lresponse to the clamping together of such wall areas, said valve baghaving a tape comprising a portion of said valve, the combination of aspreader mechanism for spreading such wall areas of the valve to asubstantia-lly fiat condition, said tape assuming a generally upstandingposition relative to the flattened wall areas as a result of thespreading of said wall areas, a clamp having a resilient pad mountedupon at least one of the facesV thereof for pressing together said wallareas, a tape flattening member mounted on said clamp for engaging saidtape in advance of clamping of the valve and flattening the tape intoparallel relation to the wall areas to be sealed whereby crumpling ofthe tape is avoided, power means for actuating said clamping means, andmeans for disengaging said spreader mechanism from the valve in responseto closing movement of said clamp.

16. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a valve type bag having opposedwall surfaces carrying adhesive for sealing same, spreader meansinsertable in a portion of the bag valve for engaging and spreading suchportion, a valve clampfor clamping and sealing the valve portion soengaged and spread, and mechanism operatively connected with saidspreader means and operative in timed relationship with said clamp forwithdrawing said spreader means after said clamp engages such valveportion but prior to the application of full clamping pressure 'to suchvalve portion so engaged and spread.

17. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a valve type bag having opposedwall surfaces carrying l adhesive for sealing same, a spreader elementmounted for insertion in such a valve for directly engaging andspreading a portion thereof, a valve clamp for clamping and sealing suchvalve portion so directly engaged and spread, and control mechanismoperatively connected with said spreader element for controlling theinserting of the latter into such valve and the withdrawing of same,said control mechanism being operative in timed relationship with themotion of said clamp for withdrawing said spreader element after saidclamp has engaged such valve portion so directly engaged and spread.

18. In apparatus for sealing a valve of a bag, such valve having opposedwall surfaces carrying heat aetivatable adhesive for sealing same, a

